Wednesday, April 28, 2010

MedAnywhere App Will Benefit from iPhone OS 4.0, Says Developer

Emerging Healthcare Solutions, Inc. released a statement praising Steve Jobs' presentation of the iPhone's new OS 4.0 this past month. Apple's new smartphone operating system includes support for simultaneous apps, a feature lacking in previous versions that were compared unfavorably with Android and Blackberry, which both support limited multitasking. EHSI, which is developing the MedAnywhere app for Apple's smartphone, said that use of its program will be much easier for doctors now that it can be run in conjunction with other medical software.

The MedAnywhere app, which has not yet been released, is described as a comprehensive medical software package that includes standard data reference material as well as communications features that allow interaction with local doctors. The program can aid the patient in self-monitoring at home, and can feed information to a doctor when a condition becomes severe.

The app also takes advantage of the iPhone's Bluetooth capabilities by allowing it to interface wirelessly with a few specially made medical accessories, such as a blood pressure cuff, heart monitoring set, and even a camera system which will allow doctors to examine patients remotely. EHSI hopes MedAnywhere will provide doctors a comprehensive telemedicine solution that runs on a platform-i.e., the iPhone-accessible to anyone.

EHSI developed the MedAnywhere app based on the DREAMS (Disaster Relief and Emergency Medical Services) telemedicine platform researched by Texas A&M under a $20 million grant from the US Department of Defense. The original idea was to provide trauma surgeons a reliable communications platform during critical remote operations. Now the same basic technology is available to consumers.

Emerging Healthcare Solutions, Inc. attempts to provide medical professionals the tools necessary to efficiently and reliably care for their patients. The company has produced both medical software and hardware with this goal in mind, as well as business models and logistics systems that help hospitals and individual practitioners alike keep afloat in today's uncertain economy.

Not everyone has signed on to the telemedicine movement, but it's certainly picking up steam, regardless. Now that technology like GPS trackers and advanced communications equipment has become available to the average consumer, there's little reason for doctors and medical professionals to ignore the potential for keeping in touch with their patients on the go.

This guest post is written by Greg Bartlett who runs Copy-hub.com. He specializes in writing about health and technology, including GPS and insurance, and has earned two master’s degrees.